News

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

No, Brian Halbach, a WHS ‘10 grad, is not working for a Russian ransomware group; actually his mission is to help companies test their cybersecurity in order to avoid being one of the next victims. With recent well publicized cyberattacks on companies such as Colonial Pipeline, security consultants called “red teams” are hired by firms to probe their defenses before cybercriminals get the chance.

A recent Nightline segment, “Inside the secretive world of hackers who help protect companies from attacks,” featured Halbach and one of his associates.

Also featuring Halbach was an article on ABC News, “Cybersecurity experts break down a cyberattack as they become increasing threat,” dated June 9.

In conjunction with the Whitewater Area 4th of July Festival, the Whitewater Historical Society Depot Museum of local history will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 3, 2021, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Museum is located at 301 West Whitewater Street, next to Cravath Lakefront Park. Admission is free, and people of all ages are welcome to visit the newly installed exhibits. Open hours will continue throughout the summer on Saturdays from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. 

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!

Article Submitted by Elizabeth A. Farrey
Collections & Outreach Manager, Whitewater Historical Society
Public Relations & Newsletter Coordinator, League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area
FarreyEA24@uww.edu

July Programs for Adults at the Dwight Foster Library

BUSeum Tour
Thursday, July 15 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Jones Park Shelter near the corner of S. 6th St. and Milo St.
Presentation on the “Great Cow War” will take place at 6 p.m. in the Shelter.

This mobile museum housed in a retrofitted school bus that brings history to life for audiences. The five focus topics of the overall exhibit and multi-media presentations present case studies obscured by time:

• anti-German hysteria of WWI
• the flu pandemic of 1918-19
• Prohibition-era bootlegging in the American Heartland
• the “Second Wave” of the Ku Klux Klan in the Midwest of the 1920s
• farmer rebellions during the Great Depression

Each tour takes approximately 1 hour. The Buseum will be available during the 4 hour time frame so you can attend at a time convenient for you.

Michael Luick-Thrams presentation on the “Great Cow War” will begin at 6 p.m. and take place in the shelter.

The Science of Perception Deception
Mind Games 1, The Science of Perception Deception – Virtual on Zoom
Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

Our brain decides how we perceive everything around us. It finds patterns and solves problems efficiently, except for when it lies to us. In this engaging program, William Pack explores the real science of how our brains trick us into seeing and believing things that don’t exist. In the program, you’ll experience how optical illusions work, why people fall for scams, and how we make thousands of choices every day that are influenced subconsciously.

William will also give the attendees proven, scientific, actionable techniques to preserve brain health. At the end, you may be left wondering if your brain has a mind of its own.

These programs are free and open to the public. For additional information contact Amy Lutzke at (920) 563-7790 or email contact@fortlibrary.org.

Article Submitted by Amy Lutzke
alutzke@fortlibrary.org
(920) 563-7790

Downtown Whitewater Board of Directors – Monday @ 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Agenda includes Introduction, Question, and Answer Session with Mexican Consulate Julian
Adem
4-5:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88210044772?pwd=d1JKV1laT0V0cHBhdXByNEpGTk
5UUT09
Meeting ID: 882 1004 4772
Passcode: 912223
Join by phone
1 312 626 6799 US
Meeting ID: 882 1004 4772
Passcode: 912223

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda includes arboretum report

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library -Members of the public may not
attend in-person but virtual access will be provided and the meeting will be live streamed.
6:00 p.m. (Immediately adjourning to closed session to discuss disciplinary data of a district volunteer and evaluation of the superintendent.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82862658315?pwd=enhpNk1vdFRhbHZKa1lkRm9aL0RMZz09
Password: 943684
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 828 6265 8315
Password: 943684
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner) includes employment of Lakeview Elementary principal and methods for addressing hard-to-fill positions
Join Zoom meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83047017598?pwd=OU5HYU5NUHpuUDJOTmZTL0dhMkJWQT09
Passcode: 664000
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 830 4701 7598
Passcode: 664000

City of Whitewater Common Council Special Meeting (Joint meeting between Common Council & Finance Committee) – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda – closed session followed by open session re: purchase of land for southwest water tower, sale of vacant land in Business Park to Lavelle Industries, Inc. (Lot 3 of Certified Survey Map 4555)
This will be a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
City of Whitewater is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82053065506?pwd=a29MQnQ3MHdRMlYxaC9TVmovUVZkZz09
Meeting ID: 820 5306 5506
Passcode: 305682
Join by phone
1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 820 5306 5506
Passcode: 305682

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes American Rescue Plan update, salary resolution #2, purchase of Fire Dept. command vehicle
VIRTUAL MEETING
City of Whitewater is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82053065506?pwd=a29MQnQ3MHdRMlYxaC9TVmovUVZkZz09
Meeting ID: 820 5306 5506
Passcode: 305682
Join by phone
1 312 626 6799 US
1 877 853 5257 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 820 5306 5506
Passcode: 305682

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
City Manager’s Conference Room
312 Whitewater Street
Agenda includes Effigy Mounds Preserve – Report on Virtual Meeting with Commonwealth Heritage; Major concerns addressed regarding the Effigy Mounds Preserve and its maintenance with Eric
Boettcher and Brian Neumiester; Walton Oaks Park Maintenance citizen concerns

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
312 W. Whitewater St.
Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting
Location: WFD, Inc Training Room
Agenda

(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Rollie Cooper  is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated “For providing opportunities for the Kiwanis Builders Club Middle School Students to help in the community by planting and cultivating squash and pumpkins that will be later donated to local food providers.”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

The City of Whitewater is currently accepting applications for vacant board and commission seats. Applicants must reside in the city, except as noted below. Eligible applicants willing to serve can apply online, in person or by mail at any time.

Vacant positions include:
• Birge Fountain Committee (3 positions, 1 alternate)
• Board of Zoning Appeals (1 position, 2 alternates)
• Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission (1 position)
• Ethics Committee (1 alternate)
• Equal Opportunities Commission (1 position) – Members must reside in the city or school district, or be employed in the city.
• Landmarks Commission (2 positions)
• Parks & Recreation Board (1 position) – Members must reside in the city or school district.
• Plan & Architectural Review Commission (1 alternate)
• Police & Fire Commission (1 position)
• Urban Forestry Commission (1 alternate)

Interested residents of Whitewater can learn more about each committee and may
apply online at https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/275/Apply-for-Boards-Commissions.

Alternatively a paper copy of the Citizen Service Information Form is available at the 2nd floor Administration window at 312 W. Whitewater Street.
Completed applications can be mailed to:
City Manager’s Office
P.O. Box 178
Whitewater, WI 53190
Questions can be sent to the City Manager’s Office at kboyd@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0104

Source: City of Whitewater press release

Aurora University has named Cherie Meinen* of Whitewater, to the Dean’s List for the spring 2021 semester. Meinen is majoring in Social Work. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher. Students recognized with high honors (*) have earned a perfect 4.0.

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials have announced students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in spring 2021 across its three campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh). Whitewater students Hannah Allen and James DuVal were named to the Dean’s List, while Fabian Gonzalez and Elizabeth Wilson were named to the Honor Roll. To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run. The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0.

Summer is here and so is another book club! In July, the Dementia Care Specialists of Jefferson and La Crosse Counties will be sharing the book Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey with you. Come meet other caregivers as we discuss compassionate dementia caregiving and how to find joy in the everyday moments!

This book club will be virtual, but encourages you to get outside in the sun or shade (weather permitting) while we meet. Grab a cool beverage, your book, and a friend or family member to join you!

Mondays 1-2 p.m. July 12^th through August 16^th.

Call 608-785-5700 to register or e-mail kflock@lacrossecounty.org by July 6^th. Need help finding a book? Please let us know when you register!

Source: Press release from Aging & Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County